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Snapdragons are classic plants that are often seen in cottage gardens because of their undemanding nature and picturesque flowers. They form quite a lot of flowers and can often be found on the side of paths or near fields and because of their bright colors they magically attract children in particular. Many parents, house and farm animal owners are therefore wondering whether the plantain plant is poisonous. No wonder, since Antirrhinum is related to poisonous plants such as thimbles.
ingredients
The question of whether snapdragons are poisonous can be answered with a resounding no. Snapdragons are not poisonous, either to humans or animals. Since snapdragons are a member of the plantain family (bot. Plantaginaceae), many people assume that, like foxgloves (bot. digitalis), they must be poisonous plants, especially for children. However, it is the ingredients of the plants that provide information about their toxicity. This is also the case with snapdragons, above all the field snapdragon (bot. Antirrhinum orontium), which is the most common species of the genus occurring in Germany and, according to the name, grows mainly near fields. Likewise, the great field mouth (bot. Antirrhinum majus) must be mentioned here, which belongs to the section of the Mediterranean snapdragons. The ingredients are as follows:
- vitamins
- essential oils
- non-toxic bitter substances as protection against feeding
- minerals
- secondary plant substances: mainly responsible for the coloring
As you can see, snapdragons are not poisonous plants, quite the opposite. Most of the ingredients are healthy for humans and not dangerous at all.
risk of confusion
Compared to other members of the family, snapdragons do not form any glycosides, as is the case, for example, with digitalis (red foxglove). As a result, the plants pose no danger at all and can be easily collected or cared for without gloves. Children can even pick the flowers themselves, but they should be careful, as snapdragons are associated with the following types of plants mistaken can become:
- Toadflax (bot. Linaria vulgaris): Growth and flowers similar at first glance
- other poisonous plantain plants such as foxglove, penstemon (bot. Penstemon) or speedwell (bot. Veronica)
- Spurge family (bot. Euphorbiaceae): exclusively because of the flowers; otherwise easy to distinguish
Spurge Family
While toadflax, an old medicinal plant, poses no danger despite its bitter taste and general inedibility, you have to be particularly careful with spurge plants. These form a toxic milky sap that is poisonous to dogs, cats and humans. A typical spurge, with which the snapdragon might be confused at first glance, is the sharp or donkey spurge (bot. Euphorbia esula). For adults, the difference in terms of flowers is quickly recognizable, the little ones often have problems with it. Other spurge plants that have similar flowers:
- Miracle tree (bot. Ricinus communis)
- Multicolored Spurge (bot. Euphorbia epithymoides)
- Cypress Spurge (bot. Euphorbia cyparissias)
As long as you only let your protégés, cats and dogs touch snapdragons or even toadflax, there is no risk of poisoning. Because spurge plants are easy to tell apart from snapdragons, all you have to do is look closely. Otherwise, you don't have to worry, even if several flowers of the plantain family are consumed. Farm animals such as horses or pigs, rodents and rabbits can also consume the plants.
Cypress Spurge, Euphorbia cyparissias
tip: The Saerorhinum section with its 15 species also has the same ingredients. So if you come across a snapdragon while on vacation in the US or Canada, where the section is found, you don't have to worry about potential toxicity.
Snapdragons edible?
Wondering if snapdragons are edible after learning the flowers aren't poisonous? Then you can count yourself lucky, because the beautiful flowers are a forgotten highlight for a sweet snack in between. Since the flowers, like all parts of the plant, contain essential oils, they inspire with a pleasant floral-sugary aroma that can be perfectly combined with the following dishes:
- cake
- cakes
- yogurt
- pudding
- fruit creams
- fresh fruit salads
- flower salads
Enjoy snapdragons properly
They are mainly eaten raw and inspire here with their aroma alone, they taste very good especially for children and horses also have nothing against the flowers. If you want to eat the flowers, however, you should prepare them in advance so as not to eat the inedible stalks, which are off-putting by their bitter taste. The following tips will help you enjoy snapdragons:
1. The flowers are simply pulled off the plant. Here you grasp the base of the flower with three fingers and carefully snap it off with your hand. It is even easier with scissors, which should be clean and sharp.
2. If you want to eat the flowers immediately, just shake them out or quickly pull them through the water. This will remove enough dirt. The fresh flowers are also extremely suitable as a decoration on cakes and tarts.
3. If you want to store the snapdragons for a little longer, simply place them in a water bath. There, the flowers last for several hours before you can consume them.
4. Don't leave the buds out in the air for too long. They wither very quickly and lose their aroma more and more, which you should avoid at all costs.
tip: People who are allergic to certain plant proteins should be advised not to eat the flowers, as the entire plantain family produces them. They can lead to allergic reactions as soon as the plant has been consumed and in the event of severe symptoms, a doctor should be consulted and the affected person should not be ignored.
Exception: pesticides
Snapdragons become dangerous to health if they have been treated with chemical pesticides. For example, since the wild specimens of the field snapdragon are in constant contact with the soil, water supply and air of the cultivated fields, it can lead to pesticides being stored in the crop. Insecticides, fungicides and herbicides are not healthy in the long run and can lead to health problems.
If there are fields, vineyards and uncultivated grassy areas in the immediate vicinity that are used for organic farming, you can of course also collect there without running the risk of consuming pesticides. Specimens from your own garden are of course particularly recommended, since you have complete control over their rearing. You should of course prefer this. You should also follow these tips if you encounter snapdragons on holiday, as chemical pesticides are used worldwide.
tip: Of course, you should not eat snapdragons if you treat your home-grown or planted specimens with chemical pesticides. In this case, you should only admire the plants, but not mix them into salads or just eat them.